My Mute Bride

Not long after Victor left, Rachel heard the doorbell ring.

Originally thinking he left something behind, she opened the door, only to see a courier.

“Ms. Rachel Hudson?”

Upon hearing that, Rachel nodded.

“There are two intracity express parcels for you. Please sign here.”

Startled, she signed for the parcels, thereafter receiving a cake and a paper bag.

Right now on the table, there was still half an uneaten cake that Victor had rushed out to buy at noon upon finding out it was her birthday.

So, who bought the cake that the courier delivered?

Setting it aside on the table for now, she pulled a rectangular suede box out of the paper bag.

With a click, she opened it and discovered a silver-colored necklace in the box that glimmered underneath the light

The pendant was in the simple design of a small sun with a hollow center.

Putting down the box, she found a card on top of the cake box that simply read ‘Happy Birthday’ without any signature.

Dumbfounded, she stared at the items until her phone started vibrating.

It was a text message from Julian reading, ‘Did you receive what I sent?’

Immediately, she understood. ‘I did. I was wondering who would remember my birthday.’

‘Don’t forget that you’re a patient of mine. It’s not strange that I would remember your birthday.’

‘Thank you.

‘You’re welcome. Are you free? I just finished work; come down for a walk with me!

Looking at the time, she agreed, ‘Okay.’

At this hour after dinner, the community was lively. All of the houses were lit up, and the sound of children laughing could be heard around the neighborhood as they ran around playing.

could even offer some

cake is

a knife and a paper plate, preparing to

stopped her and pulled some candles out of a box to the side. “Today

be a little girl in pigtails, immediately

must sing the ‘Happy Birthday’

close her eyes and make

must blow out

that there was no need to go to such

he still lit the candles and had the children sing ‘Happy Birthday’ in unison. The delicate chorus of young voices would have

“Make a wish.”

There’s no need.

say it in your heart and not out loud, or the wish won’t come true,” a very young voice

her head to look, she found a little girl who wasn’t even at table height yet looking up at her with

the children, clasped her hands and made a wish. After that, she blew out the candles and began to

you!” their parents instructed, standing

on each other’s faces. Just like that, the strangers in the community suddenly seemed closer and

Rachel finally smiled for

continued, “The most important thing right now is to take care of your body and your mood. You don’t need to worry about anything else.

about me. I never wanted it, anyway, so I might as well pretend it never existed for now. At that point, Rachel’s

then. It’s been getting

turned and headed toward

she was inside her apartment and about to close

slam, the door was propped open by a large hand from

her, his darkened face made all the more

he out on

slid sideways into the house and shut the door before surveying the

you’ve been getting along

two steps back. Why are you

stalked toward her as he pulled off his necktie and

you wouldn’t want me to ruin your blissful days,

her, forcing her back inch

idea what

she staggered after him and was dragged all the way to